Jones indicts media in Jackson's death

Kevin McDonough

Thursday

Apr 29, 2010 at 12:01 AM

The sudden, unexpected death of a noted personality brings out various reactions, and Michael Jackson's death last June was no exception. The immediate television response was one of shock, grief and conspicuous over-coverage. Soon thereafter, some reacted with disbelief, cynicism and some anger, accusing the media of covering up or excusing the many dark charges against the famous singer.

The sudden, unexpected death of a noted personality brings out various reactions, and Michael Jackson's death last June was no exception. The immediate television response was one of shock, grief and conspicuous over-coverage. Soon thereafter, some reacted with disbelief, cynicism and some anger, accusing the media of covering up or excusing the many dark charges against the famous singer.

Now the process of celebration and denigration comes full circle on "True Crime with Aphrodite Jones" (10 p.m., Investigation Discovery). Interviewing many close to the so-called King of Pop, Jones makes the case that Jackson was the victim of an overzealous media and a prosecutor willing to do anything to get him.

Jones all but says that unscrupulous journalists hounded Jackson to death -- most notably, Martin Bashir. The filmmaker gained Jackson's trust and told Jackson that he was making a sympathetic portrait that would restore his image and show the world his deep concern for children's welfare. Instead, the infamous 2003 television film only raised more questions and reopened a case against him. Jones argues, and many here contend, that this betrayal broke Jackson's spirit and that his serious abuse of the drugs stems from this incident.

Jones' case of death-by-media is rather shaky, and the parade of former Jackson managers and retainers hardly enforces a sense of objectivity. At best, this "True Crime" only reinforces the notion that the "real" Michael Jackson will never be revealed and that the performer was lost in a wilderness of imagery and spin a long time ago.

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